Anticipation building for 2013 PGA Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- PGA Professionals, golf buyers and industry leaders attending the 2013 PGA Expo in Las Vegas, Aug. 19-21, can anticipate numerous opportunities to share best practices and network with colleagues from around the world. Networking programs are becoming an increasingly important aspect of the PGA Expo where more than 200 top golf brands and companies will showcase the latest equipment, training aids, fashions and accessories at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. In addition to a multitude of new products and professional networking programs, the PGA Expo also features equipment testing opportunities, a new Technology Symposium, a comprehensive education conference, golf fashion programs and numerous business resources.

"In addition to seeing all the newest merchandise from the best brands in golf in a single setting, attending PGA Professionals and buyers value the opportunity to share business experiences with colleagues from different regions," said PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions Industry Senior Vice President and General Manager Ed Several. "New business solutions, profit centers, player development programs and more are shared during professional networking events on site, and now this year online, PGA Expo attendees can connect before, during and after the Show to build their business connections with fellow attendees."

PGA Expo networking opportunities include:

New - PGA Expo Social Media - Join the Conversation
Industry professionals can stay up-to-date on the latest PGA Expo news, view photos/videos and engage with peers through a host of social media platforms including the new "Advanced Networking" feature of PGA Expo's "My Show Planner" and the new PGA Expo Social Media Hub at PGAExpo.com/SocialHub.

PGA Professionals and buyers can establish and grow professional connections, before, during and after the event with "My Show Planner" at PGAExpo.com. Using this new networking feature allows attendees to strategically locate other industry professionals who meet specified search criteria; build a networking profile exclusive to PGA Golf Shows or by leveraging a Linked In profile; and control professional connections for contact throughout the year.

New Format - AGM Summer Forum at the PGA Expo
The Association of Golf Merchandisers will host the AGM Summer Forum at the PGA Expo on Monday, Aug. 19, featuring a retail trends roundtable and luncheon, Tour of Clubs (Bali Hai GC, Las Vegas Golf & Tennis) and the AGM Product Preview & Reception. The AGM Summer Forum is open to all pre-registered PGA Expo golf buyers/merchandisers and transportation will be provided from The Venetian to all AGM events. Advance registration is required at pgaexpo.com/AGMFourm. Additionally, the AGM will present merchandising seminars within the PGA Expo Education Conference on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and provide member services and networking opportunities daily on the Show floor in booth 108 and within a member networking room at the PGA Expo Industry Reception on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

PGA Expo Demo Night & Divine 9 Social Golf Outing
The 2013 PGA Expo Demo Night features hands-on, outdoor product testing, professional networking and a social golf outing at the Las Vegas Golf Center, just off the Las Vegas Strip, on Monday, Aug. 19, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. PGA Professionals, buyers and industry leaders attending the PGA Expo will have complimentary access to the event where the newest equipment, training aids and accessories from more than 40 manufacturers will be tested first hand at the Center's two-tiered 113-stall lighted driving range, plus the putting and chipping greens. A social golf outing exclusively for PGA Expo attendees will be held at the Center's Divine Nine, a nine-hole lighted par-3 course. Complimentary refreshments and transportation from The Venetian will be provided to pre-registered PGA Expo badge-holders.

New PGA Expo Education Conference
From hands-on outdoor instruction to engaging presenters in classroom environments, the PGA Expo Education Conference will covers the game's most pressing business topics. PGA Professionals and industry leaders will have the opportunity to build their professional expertise with new, in-depth educational offerings including a hands-on Instructional Workshop with Mike Malaska; the PGA Fast-Track Leadership Development Seminar; a new PGA Expo Technology Symposium; player development sessions from the PGA's Certified Professional Program 2.0; numerous AGM and PGA Education Seminars; a Peer-to-Peer Roundtable program and a condensed certification sessions offered by FlightScope and U.S. Kids Golf. Learn more about the comprehensive schedule of educational offerings at PGAExpo.com/Conference.

PGA Member Business Center
PGA Professionals will have access to a multitude of services, workshops and professionals at the PGA Member Business Center in The Venetian, Aug. 20-21, during Show hours. In addition to Association representatives from Golf 2.0, education, employment, insurance, and membership services departments, The PGA of America will offer complimentary employment workshops and a PGA Town Hall, where members can engage directly with PGA leaders on the Association's most pressing topics. View more information on PGA member programs at PGAExpo.com/attendees/PGA-Members.

About the PGA Expo
The PGA Expo, the industry retail springboard for golf equipment, accessories and apparel in the second-half of the golf season, returns to The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Aug. 19-21, 2013. Multiple fashion tradeshows will take place at The Venetian and in Las Vegas during the PGA Expo timeframe, providing a special synergy to golf industry apparel buyers and manufacturers.

In addition to a strong mix of golf apparel brands, the PGA Expo features leading equipment companies offering hands-on testing of their latest innovations and technology at Demo Night, and on the Show floor in the Club Performance and Testing Center, putting green, and ball flight analysis area. Additionally, a new golf technology pavilion and educational symposium on golf technology advancements will be offered.

The PGA Expo traditionally hosts thousands of golf industry leaders to source new merchandise among some 200-plus golf companies and brands, test the newest equipment and training aids, attend the industry keynote presentation, uncover the latest trends at the fashion designer panel, learn new teaching and business strategies and network among peers and industry executives.

The PGA Expo is not open to the public and is an industry professionals-only event. PGA Professionals, buyers and media can register, make travel arrangements and hotel reservations online at pgaexpo.com or by calling 800-840-5628.

The PGA Expo and PGA Merchandise Show are organized in partnership with The PGA of America.

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